Electrical flasher



p 1933- I R. E. BECHTOLD 1,926,833

ELECTRICAL FLASHER Filed April 26, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet. l

x 0o E E ATTORNEY 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 12, 1933. R. E. BECHTOLDELECTRICAL FLASHER Filed April 26, 1926 M INVENTOR B. 9% ATTORNEY Sept.12, 1933. E, BYECHTOLD 1,926,833

ELECTRI CAL FLASHER Filed April 26, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 W INVENTOR vATTORNEY R. E. BECHTOLD ELECTRICAL FLASHER Filed April 26, 1926 8Sheets-Sheet 5 W I W INVENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 12, 1933.

Sept. 12, 1933. R. E. BECHTOLD ELECTRICAL FLASHER Filed April 26, 1926 8Sheets-Sheet 6 W V QM INVIENTOR ATTORNEY P 12, 1933- AR. E. BECHTOLD1,926,833

ELECTRICAL FLASHER Filed April 26, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 W G INVENTOR MBY ATTORNEY P 2, 1933- R. E. BECHTOLD 1,926,333

ELECTRICAL FLASHER Filed April 26, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 ll Ill 27 2 :51I1 24 A H v I 1 1 INVENTOR @5455 3!!!!1 NORTH EAST SOUTH WE T PatentedSept. 12, 1933 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL FLASHER Reuben Bechtold, FortWayne, Ind., assignor to The Tokheim Oil Tank and Pump Company,

Fort Wayne, Ind.

Application April 26, 1926. Serial No. 1 34.54

11 Claims.

, provide a controlling unit for the group of electric lamps and bell ofa street traflic signal of the stop and go type, which unit will beautomatic in its operation and which will function for an indefiniteperiod of time Without requiring the "attention of an operator; second,to provide in the unit, means of adjustment so that the various lampsand bell of the signal controlled by the unit willbe operated insuch'chron'ological order and for various periods. of time respectivelyas may be desired; third, to provide apparatus ineluding a flasher forthe control of the electric lamps and bell of a traific signal, and anelectrically driven motor for actuating the flasher and which motor willbe controlled by the flasher; fourth, to provide a controlling means fortraflic signals of the class described, including a flasher, and anelectric motor in geared relation with the flasher and so constructed asto be operable at such speeds, according to adjustments, as may berequired during fractional portions of the cycle of the flasher; fifth,to provide a flasher and motor therefor so constructed that the flasherwill be actuated during the different periods in its cycle withcorresponding speeds varying more or less according to adjustments ofthe motor mechanism, and thereby regulate the chronological operation ofthe lamps and bell of the signal; and sixth to provide a controller fora traific signal of the class described, including a flasher and motortherefor and means for varying the velocity. of the motor during variousfractional portions of the cycle of the flasher. Another'object of theimprovement is to connect the flasher and speed adjuster with the motorin such manner as will admit of their ready separation withoutdisturbance of the mechanism of the flasher,

speed adjuster or the motor, in order to facilitate assembly, repair andreplacement of the various r mechanisms and parts thereof. A principlecontemplated in the invention is the operation of the lamps and bell ofa traflic signal by the use of a flasher driven by a motor that issodevisedas to run at various rates of speed selectively with respect tothe several periods in the cycle of the flasher to thereby regulate theduration of the operating periods of. the respective lamps and bell, andis fundame'atal-to the invention.

These objects are accomplished by, and the principle is embodied in, theconstruction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a signal controlling unit embodying theinvention, a portion of the housing being cut away to disclose theinterior apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 1 and with the cover andother parts omitted, and partially broken away;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation projected from Fig. 1, the housing beingshown in central section;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the make and break mechanism of theflasher, a portion thereof being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the adjusting mechanism for the motor;

Fig. 6 is a vertical central section of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation in section of the flashermechanism;

Fig. 8 is a detailed View showing an elevation of the cross armsemployed in the flasher;

Fig. 9 is a projection of Fig. 8 in a plane at right angles thereto;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross section of the flasher mechanism on theline 1010 of Figs. 7,

8 and 9; p

Fig. 11 is a similar section on the line 1111 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is an elevation of the group of electromagnetic field units andthe armature of the driving motor used in the appliance;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail view of one of the adjustable magneticpoles projected from Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of one of the electromagnetic field unitsand the armature of the motor;

Fig. 15 is a view showing the arrangement of the electro-magnetic fieldunits on the line 1515 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the adjustable pole of one of theelectro-magnetic field units;

Fig. 17 is a detail view showing a section of the stationary pole of oneof the electro-magnetic field units; 10

Fig. 18 is a diagram of the flasher, the motor by which the flasher isactuated and the electrical connection for same; the contact membersbeing shown in position for energizing the green north and south and.the red east and west signal lights;

,Fig. 19is a diagrammatical view of the electrical make and breakmechanism of the flasher showing the contacting members in position forenergizing the green north and south, and the red east and west lights,and all of the amber lights;

Fig. 20 is a similar diagrammatical view showing the contact members inposition for energizing the green east and west and the red north andsouth lights;

Fig. 21 is also a similar diagrammatical view showing the contactmembers in position for energizing the green east and west and the rednorth and south lights and all of the amber lights;

Fig. 22 is another diagrammatical view showing the contact members inposition for energizing the green north and south and the red east andwest lights;

Fig. 23 is a diagram showing a group of lamps and electrical connectionstherefor of a traffic signal with which the invention is employed; and

Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating the electrical circuits and relatedparts of the apparatus, the contacting members being shown in thepositions of the corresponding members illustrated in Fig. 22.

The invention consists of a controlling means for traffic signals of thestop and go type in which groups of electric lamps of various colors arearranged to be turned on and off in a predetermined order of successionand for varying periods of time for the regulation of the traflic, andthe invention comprises a controller in which is included a flasher A, amotor B, and a speed adjuster C all of which are grouped together andencased in a housing consisting of a base D and cover E, forming acompact unit.

The flasher The flasher has a frame consisting of end plates 1 and 2spaced apart and connected together by tie rods 3 and 4. Upon the tierod 4, at the middle thereof, is fixed a bracket'5 that forms a bearingfor the abutting ends of a .pair of alined shafts 6 and 7, there being abearing 8 in the plate 1 for the outer end of the shaft 6, and a-bearing9 in the plate 2 for the outer end of the shaft '7, in which bearingssaid shafts have turning movement. Upon each shaft 6 and 7,

is fixed a corresponding block 10 and 11 respec-' tively so as to beheld rigidly thereon and moved therewith.- Mounted loosely upon theshaft 6 is a series ofv blocks 12, 13 and 14 and upon the shaft 7 is,mounted loosely a similar series of blocks 15, 16 and 17 so that eachblock of said series of blocks has independent oscillating movement uponthe corresponding shaft, all of said blocks being of insulatingmaterial.

In the end plates 1 and 2 is mounted a cam shaft 18 having adjustablyfixed thereon a series of similar earns 19, 20, 21 and 22, of insulatingmaterial, each having an offset 1', and a driving gear 23 is fixed onsaid cam sh'aft by which said shaft is actuated.

The block 15 has fixed thereon a follower 24 consisting of a projectingmetal bar actuated by the cam 19; the block '11 has a similar follower25 actuated by the cam 20; the block 10 has a follower 26 actuated bythe cam 21; and the block 12 has a follower 2'7 actuated by the cam 22,by means of which followers said blocks are oscillated upon theirrespective axes independ ently of each other.

The block 16 has fixed thereon two contact members 28 and 29, and thefollower 24 has a laterally extending contact member 30 that overlapsthe contact member 28 and has electrical contact and actuating relationwith the contact member 28 when the follower 24 is swung outwardly bythe action of the cam 19, and thereby the block 16 is oscillated. Theblock 1'7 has a contact member 31 fixed thereon that extends laterallyand overlaps the contact member 29 and has electrical contact therewith.Also, the follower 25 has a laterally extending contact member 32 thatoverlaps the contact member 31 and has electrical contact and actuatingengagement therewith. The block 13 has a pair of contact members 33 and34 fixed thereon, and the follower 27 has a laterally extending contactmember 35 that overlaps the contact member 33 with which it haselectrical contact and actuating relation. The block 14 has fixedthereon a laterally extending contact member 36 that overlaps thecontact member 34 with which it has electrical contact. Also, thefollower 26 has a laterally extending contact member 37 that overlapsthe contact member 36 with which it has electrical contact and actuatingrelation.

In fixed connection with the block 10 is a laterally extending operatingarm 38 having two adjustable insulated posts 39 and 40 positionedthereon respectively in the paths of the contact members 31 and 29 withwhich said posts have actuating relation. The block 11 also has alaterally extending operating bar 41 having two adjustable insulatedposts 42 and 43 positioned respectively in the paths of the contactmembers 36 and 34 with which said posts have actuating relation.

An anchor bar 44, of insulating material, is secured at its ends to theframe plates 1 and 2 respectively, and a series of electrical conductors45, 46, 4'7, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 are secured individually tosaid anchor bar. Each of said conductors consists of a stripof springmetal and is secured at one end to said anchor bar by means of screws55, and at its opposite end with one of the said oscillating blocks;viz: the strip 45 is connected with the block 15 and is bowed undertension so that torque is applied to said" block and the follower 24 isthereby held against the cam 19; the strip 46 is similarly secured tothe block 16 and has electrical connection with the contact member 28thereon; the strip 4''! is also connected with the block 16 and haselectrical connection with the contact member 29 thereon; the strip 48is secured to the block 17 and has electrical connection with thecontact member31 thereon; the strip 49 is secured to the block 11' andhas electrical connection with the contact member 32 thereon;-the strip50 is secured to the block 10 and has electrical connection with thecontact member 37. thereon; the strip 51 is secured to the block 14 andhas electrical connection with the contact member 36 thereon; the strip52 is secured to the block 13 and has electrical connection with thecontact member 34 thereon; the strip 53 is secured to the block 13 andhas electrical connection with the contact member 33 thereon; and thestrip 54 is secured to the block 12 and has electrical connection withthe contact member 35 thereon. The tension of all of said springs orstrips is in the same direction, and the torque of all of said blocks isaccordingly in a common direction, and the respective followers on theblocks 10,

ll, 12 and 15 are held in bearing relation with the corresponding cams,while the contact members on the other blocks tend to swing inwardly asthe corresponding blocks are turned by the q action of the springsrespectively connected therewith.

As the follower 24 is swung outwardly by the action of its cam 19, thecontact member 30 on said follower engages the contact member 28 on theblock 16 forming electrical connection therewith, and causing the block16 to turn so that both contact members 28 and 29 on said block 16.

swing outwardly. The inward swinging movement of said contact members 28and 29 is limited a one stage by engagement of the contact member 29with the contact member 31, and at a second stage by engagement of themember 29 with the post 40. The inward swinging movement of the contactmember 31 on the block 17 is limited at one stage by engagement with thepost 39, and at a second stage by engagement with the contact member 32on the block 11.

As the follower 27 is swung outwardly by the action of its cam 22, thecontact member 35 on said follower engages the contact member 33 on theblock 13 forming electrical connection therewith, and causing the block13 to turn so that both contact members 33 and 34 on said block 13swings outwardly. The inward swinging movement of said contact members33 and 34 is limited at one stage by engagement of the contact member 34with the contact member 36, and at a second stage by engagement of themember 34 with the post 43. Inward swinging movement of the contactmember 36 on the block 14 is limited at one stage by engagement with thepost 42 and at a second stage by engagement with the contact member 37on the block 10.

The cams 19, 20, 21 and 22 are relatively positioned upon the shaft 18so that when revolved, the ofiset of the cam 19 will precede the offsetof said cam 20, and the offset of the cam 22 will follow that of cam 20and precede that of the cam 21, andthe followers will snap from theiroutermost to their innermost positions in corresponding order ofsuccession, one complete revolution of the cam shaft 18 occurring witheach cycle in the operation of the flasher A.

As shown in the diagram, Fig. 18, when .the follower 24 is in itsoutermost position, members 30 and 28 have contact, as have also members31 and 32, while the members 29 and 31 are held apart. Coincidentallytherewith members 37 and 34 are held from contact with member 36; andmembers 33 and 35 are also held apart. v

At the stage of operation indicated in the diagram, Fig. 19, thefollower 24 has passed to its innermost position, having snapped pastthe offset 1' of its cam, causing the member 30 to move out of contactwtih the member 28, which permits the members 28 and 29 to swinginwardly so that member 29 has contact with member 31, whilecoincidentally therewith the other contact members are sustained in thesame relation as in the previous instance, member 34 being held apartfrom member 36 by the post 43, member 36 being held apart from member3'7 by the post 42, and member 33 held apart from member 35.

At the stage of operation indicated in the diagram, Fig. 20, thefollower 25 has passed to its innermost position, having snapped pastthe offset of itscam, causing the member 32 to move out of contact withmember 31, the inward swing of the member 31 being interrupted by thepost 34, and the inward movement of member 29 being arrested by the post40 so that members 32 and 29 are held from contact with member 31.Coincident with the movement of the follower 25, the cross-arm 41 swingsinwardly so that the posts 42 and 43 thereon are withdrawn fromsupport-- ing relation with members 36 and 34, whereupon member 36 movesinto contact with member 37, and member 33 moves into contact withmember 35.

At the stage of operation indicated in the diagram, Fig. 21, thefollower 27 has passed to its innermost position, having snapped pastthe offset of its cam, causing the member 35 to move out of contact withthe member 33, which permits the members 33 and 34 to swing inwardly sothat member 34 has contact with member 36, while member 36 has contactwith member 37. In this instance, the contact members 28, 29 and 31 aresustained out of contact with their cooperating contact members as inthe previous instance. (Fig. 20.)

At the stage of operation indicated in the diagram, Fig. 22, thefollower 26 has passed to its innermost position, having snapped pastthe olfset of its cam, causing the member 37 to move out of contact withthe member 36, so that member 36 and member 34 rest respectively againstthe posts 42 and 43 with member 36' held apart from member 34.coincidentally therewith, the posts 39 and 40 are moved from engagementwith the members 31 and 29 permitting member 31 to contact with member32, and member 28 to contact with member 30, while member 29 is heldapart from member 31. The make and break of electrical contact betweenthe various co-operating contact members is repeated with each completerevolution of the cam shaft 18, the make and break actions oc curringinstantaneously, and simultaneous with the snap action of the followersby the contact members affected respectively thereby.

The motor lit! The motor 13 has driving relation with the cam shaft 18through a train of gears 56 which engages the gear 23 on the cam shaftand a pinion 5'7 on the motor shaft 58. The motor is constructed so asto operate at different speeds as may be desired to accelerate more orless the progress of the flash"? between its various stages ofoperation. The motor hasan armature in the form of a disc 60 fixed uponthe drive-shaft, 53

that is rotatably mounted in a frame 61, the ar mature, preferably ofaluminum, being actuated severally by three'independent electro-magneticfield units 62, 63 and 64, each of which is mounted rigidly in the motorframe 61. Said units are so grouped and disposed in the frame that thearmature passes between the poles 65 and 66 of each unit.

The electro-magnetic field units are of a type of known constructionconsisting of a metal laininated U-shaped core 67 having thereon a pairof magnet coils 68. Upon one end of the core is a fixed magnetic pole 65and upon the other end of the core is an adjustable magnetic pole 66mounted so as to be turned upon a pivot 69, there being a slotted jaw70, of insulating material, fixed on the adjustable pole by means ofwhich the pole is adjustably turned. Each pole has set eccentrically inits outer portion an induction member 71 of copper so formed as toencompass a portion of the corresponding magnetic pole. When in positionthe magnetic poles 65 and 66 are disposed upon opposite sides of thedisc 60 approximately in alinement with each other, and by adjusting thejaw '70 so as to turn the pole 66 upon its axis, the induction member 71thereon may be moved to a point more or less out of alinement with theinduction member on the opposite pole 65. When an alternating currentpasses through the magnet coils 68 the magnetic field generated therebyin the poles will cause the armature to revolve with more or lessvelocity, directly as said induction members are moved out of alinementwith each other, and inversely as alinement of said members isapproached.

The speed adjuster The speed adjuster C consists of a base 72 mountedupon the front of the motor frame 61 and extending through the cover Eof the hous-- ing so that its front is exposed. In said base areindependently positioned three studs '73, 74 and 75 so as to be turnedtherein, each having upon its outerend a corresponding index 73', 74 and75' by which said studs are manipulated. Upon the outer face of the base'72 are provided a series of dials 76, 77 and 78 corresponding with theseries of indexes by which the positions of the several indexes may begauged. Fixed upon the inner end of each stud is a crank ,79 thatprojects through a corresponding opening 80 in the motor frame 61 andengages in the slotted jaw on the adjustable pole of the correspondingelectro-magnetic field unit, so that said magnetic poles may beindividually adjusted accordingly as the indexes are manipulated. Afriction plate 81 is positioned within the base '72 .so that each of thestuds 73, 74 and pass therethrough, said plate having frictional contactwith the hub 82 of each of said cranks, and a compression spring 83 ispositioned around each of said studs and interposed between the outerwall of the base andsaid friction plate. In this manner the cranks 79and indexes are frictionally retained in adjusted positions.

A feature of the invention is in the arrangement of the flasher, themotor, and the speed adjuster in the housing, and the connectionsbetween the fiasher and speed adjuster with the motor whereby the speedadjuster and flasher may be readily dismounted from the motor separatelywithout interference with the motor mechanism or the mechanism of thespeed adjuster or flasher. The speed adjuster C is secured upon thefront end of the motor frame 61 by means of screws 85 which pass throughthe base 72 into said frame, the cranks 79-projecting into looseengagement with the corresponding slotted jaws '70 on the adjustablepoles of said field units so as to become disconnected therefrom whenthe base 72 is removed from the frame.

The flasher A is supported upon a bracket 86 that is fixed on the bottomof the motor frame 61, the rear end plate 2 of the flasher frame beingsecured to the bracket 86 by screws 8'7, the front plate 1 of saidflasher frame being supported by a prop 88 that projects from the frontend. of the motor frame 61, from which prop said plate becomes detachedwhen the flasher frame-is disconnected from the bracket 86. Likewise thegear 22 on the cam shaft of the flasher.

becomes disengaged from the train of gears 56 when the flasher isremoved from its supports on the motor frame. Or, by removing the screws89 that secure the motor frame to the base of the housing, the motor,speed adjuster and flasher ensembled. may be bodily removed from thehousing.

A packing ring 90 fitted in the front wall of the cover E and bearingagainst the adjacent perimeter of the base 72 of the speed adjuster, and

a gasket 91 inserted between the cover E and base D of the housingprevent ingress of moisture, dust, etc. into the housing, whereby itscontained mechanism is completely sheltered from climatic interferences.

Electrical connections binding posts 93, 94, 95, 96 and 97 which haveconnections within the housing" with the various parts of the mechanismcontained therein respectively as indicated by the diagram, Fig. 18,viz: The post 94 is connected with the spring conductors 46, 49, 50 and53 by conductors 101 and 102; the post 95 is connected with the springconductor 51 by a conductor 103; the post 96 is connected with springconductors 47 and 52 by conductors 104 and 105; and the post'97 isconnected with the spring conductor 48 by a conductor 106.

The coils 68 of the" electro-magnetic field unit 62 are connected incircuit with the common terminal post 93 by a conductor 98 and withspring conductors 47 and: 52 by conductors 107 and 105; the coils of theunit 63 are connected in circuit with the common terminal post 93 by aconductor 99 and with the spring conductor 45 by a conductor 108; andthe coils of the unit 64 are connected in circuit with the commonterminal post 93 by a conductor 100, and with the spring conductor '54by a conductor 109.

The signal The signal with which the controlling means herein set forthis applicable may be of any suitable character such as those. in commonuse having various colored lamps and a bell which are electricallyoperated and arranged in such manner as shown, as an example, in thediagram Fig. 23. In this instance two pairs of green lamps G and H aregrouped, the two lamps G being for exposure respectively to the northand south, while the two lamps H are for exposure respectively to theeast and west. In juxtaposition with the green lamps are correspondingred lamps J and K, the two lamps J being for exposure respectively tothe north and south, while the two lamps K are for exposure respectivelyto the east and west. Also a series of amber colored lamps L arearranged for exposure respectively to the north, south, east and west injuxtaposition with the corresponding green and red lamps. The pair ofgreen lamps G are connected in circuit with the common terminal post 93of the controlling means by a conductor 110, and with the terminal post97 by a conductor 111, as are also the pair of red lamps K; the pair -ofgreen lamps H are connected in circuit with said-common terminal post 93by the conductor 110 and with the terminal 95 by a conductor 112, as arealso the pair of red lamps J and all of the amber lamps L. are connectedin circuit with said common terminal post 93 by the conductor 110 andwith the terminal post 96 by a conductor 113, as also is the bell 114.With the lamps thus arranged and connected, the green lamps G, exposedto the north and south will be lighted 1 light simultaneously with theoperation of the bell.

An alternating current generator 115 or other suitable-source of energyis connected in circuit with the common terminal post 93 of thecontroller bythe conductor 110, and with the terminal 94 by a conductor116;

The particular arrangement and the coloring of the lamps are immaterialto the present invention, as lamps otherwise arranged and displayed, orother electrically operated signalling devices may be successfullyemployed with the controlling means herein set forth, and therefore, myinvention is extensive in the manner of its use to such other appliancesas may be controlled thereby. Furthermore, my invention is not confinedto the particular construction and arrangement of the various partsthereof as herein shown and described but is extensive to suchalterations in the construction and arrangement of its parts as may bemade through the exercise of skill in the art.

Operation In the operation of the invention the controlling means isinstalled at any suitable place either remote from or in the vicinity ofthe signal to be controlled thereby, and. the electrical connections aremade with the source of energy and the lamps and bell ofthe signal inthe manner indicated. When current is supplied as through theconnections with the terminal posts 93 and 94, and while the flasher isat the stage indicated by the diagram Fig. 18, the current will passthrough the coils of the magnetic unit 63 because of the contact ofmembers 28 and 30, and to the green lamps G and red lamps K because ofthe contact of members 31 and 32. Thus, the Go or green lamps facingnorth and south and the stop or red lamps K facing east and west will belighted, while the motor armature 60 will be actuated by the magnet unit63, by the action of which armature the cam shaft of the flasher will beprogressed thereby to that stage indicated in the diagram, Fig. 19,whereupon contact between members 28 and 30 is broken, cutting outmagnet unit 63, and members 29 and 31 make contact so that currentpasses to the amber lamps L and bell, and the coils of the magnet unit62, the lighting of which lamps signify Caution, or ordinarily animpendin change in the lighting of the green and red lamps. Also, themotor armature 60 is actuated by the magnet unit 62, whereby the camshaft of the flasher is progressed to the next succeeding stageindicated in the diagram Fig. 20, whereupon contact between members 29and 31 is broken, thereby cutting out the magnet unit 62, and also theamber lamps and the bell; contact between members 31 and 32 is broken,thereby cutting out green lamps G and red lamps K; contact betweenmembers 33 and 35 is made so that current passes to the magnet unit 64;and contact between members 36 and 37 is also made so that currentpasses to green lamps H and red lamps J, the motor armature beingactuated by the magnet unit 64 so that the cam shaft of the flasher isprogressed thereby to the next succeeding stage as shown in Fig. 21. Atthis stage, Fig. 21, contact between members 33 and. 35 is broken,cutting out magnet unit 64; and contact between members 34 and 36 ismade so that current passes to magnet unit 62 and also the amber lampsand bell, the motor armature being actuated by the magnet unit 62 sothat the cam shaft of the flasher is progressed thereby to the nextsucceeding stage indicated in diagram Fig. 22. At this stage, Fig. 22,contact between members 34 and 36 is broken, cutting out magnet unit 62and also the amber lamps and bell; contact between members 36 and 37 isbroken contact is made between members. 28 and 30 so that current passesagain to magnet unit 63; and contact is made between members 31 and 32so that current passes to green lamps G and red lamps K; the motorarmature being actuated by the magnet unit 63 so that the cycle of thecam shaft of the flasher is thereby completed.

By the operation of the flasher in passing through its cycle of stagesrepeatingly, the signal lamps and the bell are controlled so that thegreen or go'north and south lamps G, and the red or stop east and westlamps K, as one group, and the green or go east and west lamps H and thered or stop north and south lamps J, as the other group, are lighted orturned on, collectively in said groups, in alternate succession, the onegroup being turned on as the other group is turned olf. Also, precedingthe turning on of each of said groups of lamps, the amber or cautionlamps and the bell are momentarily turned on. The duration of thelighted periods of the respective groups of lamps, as well as the periodof operation of the amber lamps and the bell, may be independentlyvaried as the preponderance, in

one direction or the other, of opposing trafficcontrolled by the signalmakes desirable. This is accomplished initially by adjustably turningthe cams 19, 20, 21 and 22 upon the cam shaft 18 so that, upon operationof the motor at intermediate speed, the active periods of the signalmembers affected respectively thereby will be approximately of thedesired duration. Preferably, such adjustments are madeby-themanufacturer before the'controller is installed. secondarily, theduration of any of said periods maybe increased or reduced at theconvenience of an operator, as traffic conditions make desirable, bymerely adjustably turning the indexes 73', 74' or 75 so that the motorarmature will be driven respectively by the corresponding magnet unitsaffected thereby at higher or lower rates of speed accordingly.

Although there is shown in the drawings but one signal unit (Fig. 23),numerous additional signal units may be simultaneously operated by asingle controller by making proper electrical connections therewithdirectly, or indirectly through relay apparatus (not shown) such as isordinarily employed in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In electrically operated traffic signal apparatus of the stop-and gotype, a signal including grouped lamps, a flasher having a series ofmake and break contact members disposed to operate successively, analternating current motor having an armature and a series ofindividually adjustable electro-magnetic field units operativelyassociated with the armature disposed to independently rotate saidarmature in the same direction at speeds variable accordingly asadjusted, mechanism operatively connecting the motor and flasher, aseparate circuit for each of said field units and groups of lampscontrolled by corresponding contact members of said flasher, anu meansfor adjusting each unit separately whereby the armature is impelled atselected speeds by Said units respectively when active so that thearmature operably connected with said flasher, a

series of field units disposed to independently actuate said armature inthe same direction, which armature extends between the poles of eachunit, a separate circuit for each of said units and groups of lampscontrolled separately by said flasher, a mount for one of the poles ofeach field unit upon which the pole is movable to be adjustablypositioned more or less out of alinement with its opposite pole wherebythe armature is operated at selected speeds by said units when activeand the duration of the signal periods of the lamps are accordinglyvaried, and means for independently adjusting said movable poles.

3. In electrically operated traffic signal apparatus, a signal havinggroups of signal members, a flasher having make and break contactmembers disposed to operate in successive order, an electric motoroperatively associated with said flasher and having a series ofindependently operable electro-magnetic field units disposed when activeto impel the armature of the motor in the same direction, circuits forsaid field units and groups of signal members controlled separately bycorresponding-contact members of said flasher, and means in connectionwith said field units for separate adjustment thereof whereby the motoris operated at selected speeds by the respective units when active sothat the signal periodsof said groups of signal members are varied.

. 4. In electrically operated traflic signal apparatus, a signal havinggroups of signal members, a flasher having make and break contactmembers disposed to operate in successive order, an electric motoroperatively associated with said flasher and having a series ofindependently operable field units disposed when active to impel thearmature of the motor in the same direction at selected speeds tothereby vary the timing of the flashes, and circuits for said fieldunits and groups of signal members controlled individually bycorresponding contact members of said flasher.

5. In electrically operated traffic signal apparatus, a signal havingelectrically operatedsignal members, a flasher having successivelyoperable make and break contact members and actuating means therefor, amotor for said actuating means operable in one direction at selectedspeeds, circuits for said motor and signal members controlled by saidfiasher, and means associated with the motor and said circuits to causeoperation of the motor at difierent speeds during certain periods sothat the relative duration of ,the respective signal periods in thecycle of the signal is accordingly increased or decreased.

6. In combination with a signal means having groups of signal members,an electric flasher having make and break contact members connected incircuit with and controlling said signal members, an alternating currentmotor of the induction disc armature type having an armature operativelyassociated with said flasher and a series of field units connected incircuit with and controlled by other corresponding contact mem bers ofsaid flasher, said units having independent actuating relation with saidarmature and. being adjustable relative thereto so that said armature isimpelled with more or less speed in the same direction by the respectiveunits when active according to adjustment thereof, and means forseparately adjusting said units.

7. In combination with a signal means having groups of signal members,an electric flasher having a series of make and break contact membersconnected in circuit with and controlling said groups, and analternating current motor the armature of which is operatively connectedwith said flasher, said motor having a plurality of field units disposedto actuate the armature independently in the same direction when active,each unit being connected in circuit with and controlled by a separatecorresponding contact member of said flasher whereby said units areenergized singly in a predetermined order of succession.

8. In combination with a signal means, an electric flasher thereforhaving a series of make and break contact members disposed to operate insuccessive order, an electric motor having several independentlyoperable fleld members controlled separately by said flasher, energizingcircuits for said motor field members, and means for adjustmentsaffecting said energizing circuits separately whereby the motor isoperated through corresponding periods continuously in the samedirection at various speeds according to said adjustments.

9. In an electrically operated traffic unit, a plurality of differentsignals, a flasher switch having a plurality of circuit opening andclosing contacts, an alternating current motor having an armature and aseries of electromagnetic driving devices each when energized actuatingsaid armaturein the same direction, a plurality of circuits eachcontaining one of said contacts and means to operate one of saidsignals, a plurality of circuits each containing one of said contactsand one of said driving devices, means connecting said armature to saidflasher switch whereby said contacts energize said circuits successivelyand for a predetermined angular rotation of said 110 armature, and meansfor varying the driving power of each of said driving devices.

10. A motor driven time switch comprising an induction disc armature, aplurality of shaded coil driving elements associated with said disc, anyone of which is capable when energized of driving said disc in the samedirection by induction motor action, each driving element beingadjustable to vary its torque and the disc speed when operated thereby,a flasher switch having a plurality of contacts, means connecting saiddisc to the flasher switch for operating said contacts for apredetermined movement of said disc, and means for separately energizingsaid driving elements in a desired sequence. I

11. In electrically' operated traffic signal apparatus, a signal meanshaving electrically operated signal members, a flasher switchoperatively connected with said members, a motor actuating said flasher,and means associated with the motor and controlled by the flasher toalter the speed of the motor while driving continuously in one directionand during selected periods whereby the duration of the respectivecontacting periods in the cycle of said flasher is varied.

REUBEN E. BECHTOLD.

